Local youth get eye-opening lesson from Yale scientists

On December 10, public high school students from New Haven and West Haven came to Yale for Ophthalmology Day, an experiential learning opportunity hosted by Yale Pathways to Science. The event brought 30 local teens to campus to receive hands-on lessons from School of Medicine students, faculty, and staff. During the half-day of activities, the students took virtual reality tours of the eye, practiced conducting an eye exam with a slit lamp machine, and dissected a cow’s eye. They also attended a panel where members of the Yale League of Black Scientists shared insights on college preparation and transition, and heard a retina surgeon describe her journey to becoming a surgeon.

Like all Pathways programming, this event took a novel intergenerational approach to promoting ophthalmology as an option for students at the high school, undergraduate, and graduate levels who were interested in science careers. Dr. Susan Forster, who along with Maria Parente organized the program, said, “This was an opportunity for New Haven high school students to work with Yale undergraduates; public health, nursing and medical students; doctoral candidates; and ophthalmology faculty. It was a thrilling event where we were all teaching and learning together.” Learn more about Pathways to Science here.